THE REFINER’S FIRE
Proverbs 25:4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
Silver is a most precious metal that is magnificent in appearance when the light hits it at just the right angle causing a radiance of beauty and splendor. Only God could make something so spectacular. What makes the silver so beautiful and so precious is not the finished product we see when it is sold in the form of a ring, a necklace, a bracelet, etc., but it is the process that brought about the beauty. When silver is mined, it is in a natural state that does not reveal the beauty that is hidden beneath the surface. The silversmith will take the silver in this raw, natural state and begin a process that takes time and patience. He will place the silver in a melting pot and melt it down with fire.
When the silver is heated to a certain temperature, something wonderful begins to happen. The impurities that are in the silver begin to rise to the top. These impurities are referred to as dross. As the dross rises to the top, the silversmith will scrape it off removing it from the silver. This is a very delicate process, because if the temperature is too hot or if he leaves the silver over the flame too long, then it will be ruined. The silversmith must take extra care that he does not leave the precious silver while he has it over the fire. He will continue this process until all the dross is gone. When the dross is completely gone, then and only then, can the silversmith see his reflection when he looks into the precious silver.
The Lord in HIS Word describes HIS refining process in our lives as the silver which is cast into the fire in order to remove the dross. This refining process isn’t pleasant for us, but necessary if the Heavenly Silversmith is going to draw out all the impurities and sin that have been trapped within us for so long. HE will stay the course watching over the furnace of our afflictions carefully removing any dross that comes to the surface. It’s this labor of love that God will not waver from until HE can look down into the face of HIS child and see HIS own reflection. The trial of our faith and our furnace do have a purpose. WHEN THE DROSS IS REMOVED ONLY GOD IS SEEN!!!
Bro. Lawrence Longworth
Isaiah 61:1 “the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”
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